Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Health Care & Wellness Committee

SB 5465

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Concerning exemptions from licensure as a physical therapist.

Sponsors: Senators Dammeier, Schlicher, Becker, Keiser and McAuliffe.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Allows a person in a physical therapy assistant education program to be supervised by a licensed physical therapist assistant.

  • Clarifies that the limit on the number of assistive personnel a physical therapist may supervise does not include persons in physical therapy or physical therapy assistant education programs.

Hearing Date: 3/26/13

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:

Physical therapy is based on movement science and includes a variety of functions and services such as:

A physical therapist may supervise no more than two assistive personnel at any one time.

Generally, people need to be licensed as a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant in order to practice physical therapy. However, a person does not need to be licensed as a physical therapist assistant if he or she is pursuing a course of study leading to a degree as a physical therapist assistant in an approved professional educational program and is satisfying supervised clinical education requirements related to his or her physical therapist assistant education while under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

Summary of Bill:

A person satisfying supervised clinical education requirements related to a course of study leading to a degree as a physical therapist assistant may be supervised by a licensed physical therapist assistant (in addition to a licensed physical therapist). The limitation on the number of assistive personnel a physical therapist may supervise does not include people who are pursuing a course of study leading to a degree as a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.